The two companies have been working together for four years within packaging, providing graphic management and digital pre-press services.

Trident says the addition of DGC expands its technical capabilities and industry expertise, while adding a local and global client base to the combined entity. Trident is also doubling its staff in Australia with the purchase, adding around 15 from DGC to its 16 employees.

Dan Bunting, general manager and director of operations and business for Trident ANZ says, “Our two companies had been working together as strategic partners for the last four years. We met through a mutual contact in the industry.

“Trident had been trying to get into the Australian and NZ market while DGC, based in Australia was trying to get more of a global footing. The acquisition has mutual benefits and our cultures are similar in the way we manage clients and businesses.

“In the acquisition, we should be able to maintain our current clients while reaching out to new markets.

“Initially, there should be no big changes for DGC, other than having a different name on the door. One of the biggest benefits we are able to bring is in technology, with the latest in artwork production and automation for example. Trident will be able to bring more to the IT side of things.

“For us, we will now have a production hub in Sydney. Before, I was handling sales and promotions out of our office in Sydney while our production was in Singapore, this gives us a chance to be more localised.”

Stephen Mott and Michael Ditchett, owners of DGC say, “Partnering with Trident over the last four years, demonstrated to us that the drive for delivering quality and innovative services and solutions for our clients is part of their DNA. The synergies between our two companies are prepress, digital and e-commerce, creative design, business analysis, technology and project management. By coming together as one we will be able to streamline processes and procedures providing great efficiencies for our clients.”

Bunting of Trident says, “We do brand management, we handle everything that comes after design, right to the physical product, so we do the prepress, printing and packaging.

“Prepress is still the bread and butter of our business but it is becoming more and more commoditised as everything is becoming more digital. We are moving more towards post press, and online, with social media and animation and CGI. The fastest growing team globally for our company is CGI, with more animators. We are also keeping up with digital packaging.

“As consumer behaviours and customer experiences continually evolve, delivering a seamless transition between the traditional retail grocery and digital shelf is paramount for the success of our clients.

“At Trident, we believe the future state of artwork and pre-press is one of automation and technology. DGC’s creative mindset and their dedication to delivering quality work was a perfect fit. It was also important for us that the guiding principles of both companies connected.

“We will continue to promote our services to bring on global clients and we will also be trying to include new clients in the ANZ region.

“It is a great move and a great fit for our companies.”

Trident was founded in 1993, and is the operating division of NYSE-listed Sonoco, which supplies consumer packaging, protective packaging, industrial products, displays, and packaging supply chain services. It has 21,000 employees across 33 countries, and cites sales of $5bn yearly.

DGC was founded in 2003.

International prepress specialist buys Aussie agency: (l-r) Dan Bunting, general manager, Trident ANZ and one of the owners of DGC, Stephen Mott

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